Compared with the powerful forbidden techniques he had mastered, the genetic modification and artificial embryo cultivation techniques Lan wanted were far less valuable. Orochimaru breathed a sigh of relief.
He had truly feared Hyuga Lan would ask for too much. As it stood, the boy had a good sense of proportion and knew what he could and couldn't ask for.
Since they weren't particularly precious, Orochimaru didn't hesitate for long before agreeing to give Lan the information he wanted soon.
"Lan, we really are alike. Those foolish people only know how to pursue powerful secret techniques, never realizing that science and technology are the greatest powers.
Sss...
I like you more and more."
As he spoke, Orochimaru excitedly stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. He looked at Lan as if he were a starving man who had suddenly laid eyes on a delicious feast, overcome with delight.
If Hyuga Lan hadn't been bound by the Caged Bird Seal, and if the other boy weren't more valuable staying in Konoha, Orochimaru would have been unable to resist taking him along and training him day and night.
What a shame...
"Lan, I'll give you what I promised. Our deal begins now."
Obtaining genetic modification and artificial embryo cultivation techniques from Orochimaru would greatly help him carry out his future plans. Hyuga Lan was pleased, too, and naturally agreed to investigate The Fool for Orochimaru.
As a thought occurred to him, he asked Orochimaru another question.
"But finding someone based only on a codename that may or may not be real is going to be difficult. Could you provide some more specific information?"
Hyuga Lan wanted to use Orochimaru to confirm how much others knew about him, so he could prepare accordingly.
It was unclear whether Pain had hidden the information that The Fool might possess the Rinnegan from Orochimaru, or whether Orochimaru knew but didn't want to tell Hyuga Lan, lest more people learn about the Sage's Eye. In the end, Orochimaru only said,
"The Fool's identity is very mysterious. I only know that codename, but there is someone closely connected to The Fool."
"Oh? Who is it?" Lan asked, pretending to be curious.
"Scorch Style Pakura of Sunagakure. She's betrayed Sunagakure and is now hiding somewhere in the Ninja World. If you find her, you might be able to uncover The Fool's secrets."
Then he thought of something else and added,
"Also, I have to warn you: you only need to look into The Fool's information, and you must avoid getting into a direct conflict with him. It's for your own good, understand?"
Orochimaru wasn't worried Lan would get hurt. He was simply afraid that if Lan got himself into trouble and angered The Fool, then when Orochimaru approached The Fool again, he might be blamed because of his relationship with Lan.
Anyone Pain feared deserved to be approached with the utmost caution.
After some indirect probing, Lan realized that Orochimaru truly knew very little about The Fool, and he breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Pain had held back some of the information he knew from his subordinates for some reason. Things weren't as bad as they could have been.
"You need to join the Anbu as soon as possible, then start looking for information about The Fool for me.
"As long as you provide useful information, I've never been stingy with rewards.
"If I succeed in the end, I might even share the chance at immortality with you. After all, the road to pursuing the truth is lonely when you walk it alone. I need someone like you by my side, someone who understands me. Do you understand how I feel?"
It was hard to tell how much of Orochimaru's words were true, but at that moment, they sounded quite heartfelt. Someone who didn't know him well might actually have been moved and given their life in his service.
Unfortunately, Lan knew Orochimaru well enough to understand that the mercurial man had no one he truly trusted.
Most of those who claimed they would gladly die for Orochimaru ended up dying at his hands.
For now, Lan was only making a deal with Orochimaru. What he did afterward would be entirely up to him.
As for the information about The Fool Orochimaru wanted, it couldn't have been any easier for Lan to provide.
He was sure no one in the world understood The Fool better than he did.
Before Hyuga Lan left, Orochimaru pointed at Anko lying on the ground nearby and said,
"You can take care of her."
"How would you like me to take care of her, sir?"
Orochimaru gave a slight smile in response to Lan's question.
"Do as you please."
Do as he pleased?
Easy for him to say.
Lan wasn't foolish enough to think Orochimaru really meant for him to do whatever he wanted with the woman.
If Orochimaru himself couldn't bring himself to lay a hand on that silly woman, then Lan had no need to do so either.
Orochimaru silently watched Hyuga Lan carry Anko away over his shoulder.
That boy Lan had really changed.
His personality had changed so much in such a short time. He was like a completely different person.
Had he been hiding his true self before, and was this the real him?
From their brief interaction, perceptive Orochimaru had noticed the biggest change in Hyuga Lan.
Lan now seemed unusually confident around him. Their conversation hadn't felt like one between a superior and a subordinate, but more like a deal between equals.
What was going on?
What had happened to Lan over the past few days to make him seem so completely transformed?
Because of Orochimaru's immense strength and mercurial nature, nearly everyone who dealt with him—whether they revered him or not—harbored a deep-seated fear of him. They had to be extremely cautious around him, knowing they could lose their lives at any moment.
But tonight, Lan had lacked his usual caution around Orochimaru. Instead, he had become confident and bold.
Thinking back to how Lan had seen through his clone and found his hiding place right from the start, Orochimaru figured the boy must have made another breakthrough. His Byakugan had grown much stronger, giving him the confidence to change.
These bloodline limit users really did have enviable talents.
But no matter how much the Byakugan was trained, compared with the Sage's Eye, the Rinnegan, it was like a firefly beside the bright moon. The two couldn't compare at all. The same was true of the Sharingan.
Having experienced the power of the Rinnegan firsthand, Orochimaru scoffed at the Ninja World's habit of calling the Byakugan, Sharingan, and Rinnegan the Three Great Dojutsu.
In his view, the Byakugan and Sharingan were just flattering themselves. There was an enormous gulf between them and the Rinnegan.
I hope the boy works hard and finds The Fool for me soon.
Rinnegan, one day I will have you!
When he reached the edge of the Forest of Death, Lan tossed Anko off his shoulder and onto the ground, then walked toward the village on his own.
The impact gradually brought Anko, lying on the ground, back to consciousness.
When she woke up, she realized that she was not only safe and sound, but the village was already right in front of her.
Had she survived?
Why?
Had Hyuga Lan saved her?